"No Sacred Tradition Has Ever Marginalised Beauty"

What is it about the mellifluous sounds of voices or the stationary image of a picture that attracts us so deeply? Our senses are piqued as our souls are touched, and art that calls to the divine only serves to place our hearts in contemplation of our Lord. On this page, you will find sacred concerts that bring souls together in remembrance. Each song has a story specific to its own context stemming from a particular culture and people. Below you will find mawlids and nasheeds of celebration. Study guides are placed alongside to provide context and appreciation. To listen and view the concerts, please click on the images below. There is a 5 USD fee, but once again all proceeds go directly to the establishment of the Cambridge Mosque.

Albanian Mawlid

This famous mawlid was written by the great poet and traveller Suleiman Çelebi (d.1409) and translated into Albanian by Hafiz Ali Ulqinaku (d.1913). In Albania this mawlid is recited with a modal melody which has as its basis the traditional melody of the folksongs of the northern part of Albania, especially Shkodra and Ulqin. The recitation, the fame and the distribution of this mawlid over almost all the territory of Albania contributed greatly in the forging of Albanian identity, and the preservation of Albanian language and of Albanian Islam.

The mawlid of Imam as-Sayyid Ja'far ibn Hasan ibn 'Abdal Karim al-Barzanji (d.1764) is a popular eulogy in celebration of the birth of the Prophet. al-Barzanji was a renowned scholar and jurist who lived in Medina. He was known for his ascetism and knowledge, but his fame in the Muslim world today lies with the composition of this panegyric to the Prophet. Sung typically in the month of Rabi' al-Awwal, the mawlid has been a source of great joy for countless Muslims throughout the world.

Rawdat al-Shuhada'

This devotional hymn has been overlooked until recently in the English speaking world, but was once sung in awe amongst the peoples within the Ottoman and Mughal empires. Written by Imam Husayn Vaiz Kashifi (d.1505), it recalls the sufferings of the Ahl ul-Bayt and the reward that lies in wait for them in the next world. Originally written in Farsi, sections of it have been translated into English and sung by Al-Boran. The book and CD can be purchased from Hu Books.

Surah al Zumar'

“Say, O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful." This verse in Surah al-Zumar is a powerful reminder of Allah’s mercy. The door is always open for man to turn to his Lord even if his wrongs are numerous. It has been reported that the Blessed Prophet (PBUH) recited this Surah before sleep. Listen here to Ali Keeler’s recitation of the entire Surah in a soft and gentle Caledonian style.